Edinburgh Book Festival to go online

Organisers of the Edinburgh International Book Festival have announced that they will be presenting the 2020 Book Festival online from Saturday 15 to Monday 31 August. 

The programme, made up of over 100 events for adults, families and children, will offer both live and pre-recorded conversations featuring leading writers, poets and participants from around the world.

Events will be free to view, and available through the Book Festival’s own website.

Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said “We are very excited to be presenting live online events for the first time. 

“Thanks to invaluable support from The Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, The City of Edinburgh Council and many of our sponsors and donors, including Baillie Gifford, People’s Postcode Lottery and a number of generous individuals, we are in a position to experiment, to bring the essence of our wonderful festival to our loyal supporters – and new audiences – in a series of ambitious, innovative and exciting online conversations.

“The Edinburgh International Book Festival is a crucial part of the literary year for Scottish and British writers and publishers, and we felt strongly that we needed to showcase the very best writing and ideas despite not being able to come together in Charlotte Square Gardens in Edinburgh this August.”

Full details of the programme and participating authors for the 2020 Edinburgh International Book Festival online, and information on how audiences can access the free events, will be announced at the end of July.

Picture: EIBF

Talking community: Citizen Betty to speak at Book Festival

GIVING A VOICE TO COMMUNITIES

Tuesday 20 August 18:00 – 19:30

Join us to celebrate Citizen our latest long-term creative programme working in partnership with organisations across Edinburgh, listening to people’s views about the communities in which they live.

Led by Scottish-based writers-in-residence, Claire Askew and Eleanor Thom, Citizen aims to give a voice to communities, offering residents an opportunity to explore their connection to each other and their relationship to neighbourhoods. Come to hear, see and meet some of those who have been taking part so far.

West Pilton’s Betty McVay MBE is among the contributors.

We invite you to Pay What You Can for this event. You may choose to pay an amount between £0 and £25 for your ticket, taking into consideration what you can reasonably afford to spend. This pricing has been introduced to help make the Book Festival accessible to those with limited means. If you are able to pay more for your ticket, you will help support our efforts to provide financial flexibility to those who most need it.

Part of our We Are All Citizens series of events.

 

Happy Birthday, Gruffalo!

As ever, there are some big names at this year’s Edinburgh International Book Festival – but the biggest star of them all kicked off the annual event in Charlotte Square Gardens yesterday. The Gruffalo came to town to get the party started – which is quite appropriate as the children’s favourite is celebrating his twentieth birthday!

Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson was joined by illustrator Catherine Rayner for her Performing Picture Books event at the Edinburgh Book Festival. Continue reading Happy Birthday, Gruffalo!

Citizen Drop-In: What Does ‘Citizen’ Mean to You?

Citizen Drop-In
Tuesday 20th August 10.30am – 2:30pm
Edinburgh International Book Festival – Charlotte Square Gardens

Edinburgh International Book Festival’s Citizen programme is a long-term creative project working in partnership with organisations across Edinburgh, listening to people’s views about the communities in which they live. Continue reading Citizen Drop-In: What Does ‘Citizen’ Mean to You?

Knit and Natter at North Edinburgh Arts

Join us to knit, enjoy banter and share stories along with Eleanor Thom from the International Book Festival, who will create a story from the day. We’ll be knitting 5″ squares in shades of purple to create a comfort blanket or two which will be donated to St Columba’s Hospice.

Knit & Natter session part of Luminate Festival 2019
Wednesday 15 May 10am – 12noon
Time to chill and enjoy a knit with a great cuppa! All welcome.
No need to book just come along!

https://www.luminatescotland.org/events/knit-natter
Volunteer Edinburgh Luminate: Scotland’s creative ageing organisation

Counting down to Citizen event at North Edinburgh Arts

We hope that Saturday 11 May is in your diary and you can join us for Citizen, an afternoon of sharing stories, eating together and free activities for all ages, from the Super Power Agency Bus which will be parked outside to Citizen Stories, a sharing of stories and audio recordings by local people who have worked with authors Eleanor Thom and Claire Askew. Continue reading Counting down to Citizen event at North Edinburgh Arts

Citizen: Story-sharing group in Muirhouse starts tomorrow

Take part in a new story-sharing group led by author Eleanor Thom! CITIZEN is a new programme exploring what neighbourhood, community and home mean today, by asking the people who know best – you. Continue reading Citizen: Story-sharing group in Muirhouse starts tomorrow

Freedom is the key as Edinburgh International Book Festival programme announced

The Edinburgh International Book Festival is calling upon its authors, participants and audiences to consider the importance of freedom as this year’s programme is announced. Continue reading Freedom is the key as Edinburgh International Book Festival programme announced